Pickles Erupt for 17 Runs in Big Win Over Pippins

Pounding out 14 hits, the Portland Pickles put on their own fireworks show on Sunday at Yakima County Stadium, beating the Yakima Valley Pippins 17-2.

The loss marked the end of the first half of West Coast League play for the Pippins, who compiled a 10-17 mark. The team’s second half begins Tuesday in Bend, Oregon, with the first game of a three-game series before returning home.

Portland wasted little time Sunday, putting up three runs in the first inning and two more in the third. Already comfortably ahead, the Pickles put the game out of reach with 12 runs in the final four innings, including a seven spot in the seventh.

Zack Blaszak went 2-for-5 to lead the Pippins, who only managed five hits in the three-hour, 34-minute contest. He and Gio Melchione each drove in a run for YV.

Five Pickles had at least two hits. Jack Metcho led the way with a 2-for-3, three-RBI effort, while Armando Briseno and Dalton Mashore each added three RBI and two other Portland batters drove in two runs each.

Seven Pippins pitchers took the mound in the game and combined to issue 13 walks and hit four batters. Sixteen of the 17 runs Portland scored were earned.

By Logan Peter

July 3, 2023